Green development is a practical design orientation that seeks to enhance human health, ecosystem vitality, community, and economic resilience in human settlement patterns. By “green development,” we mean that the design and implementation of infrastructure, buildings, energy systems, landscapes and other features at a site maximize the livability and functionality of human spaces while regenerating the ecological integrity of the environment in which they are situated.

The Whole Systems Learning Center at the Thompson Creek Ranch is Sustainable Settings’ flagship green development model that incorporates the following core elements:

Biological waste treatment

Community development

Economic renewal

Green building

Habitat restoration

Historic preservation

Energy efficient infrastructure

Holistic land use planning

Respect for cultural integrity

Efficient transportation

Renewable energy systems

Resource & energy efficiency

Collaborative design is essential to green development. Just as a diverse array of inter-dependent organisms are the basis of a robust ecosystem, a variety of stakeholders from different fields and backgrounds forms a dynamic green development team. This green team utilizes the synergy of multiple perspectives, diverse knowledge, real-life experience and a range of skills to:

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Each year at our annual Harvest Festival in September we honor a local organic farmer pioneer. Past years we have honored, Jack DeOrieo, Ela Family Farms, Sarah and Tom Rumery, Ken and Gail Kuhns, Eliot Coleman, Jerome Osentowski. These folks are some of…